The first Tuesday in May was an awkward day for BBC newsreaders. Once again the main headlines were dominated by scandals within their own institution. One of their most well-known presenters had admitted to 14 indecent assaults on 13 victims aged as young as 9, and a report was published citing ¡°a strong undercurrent of fear¡± that stopped BBC employees speaking out about sexual harassment or bullying.

¡°Stuart could do what Stuart could do,¡± said a former studio worker on It¡¯s A Knockout, the BBC gameshow that Stuart Hall hosted in Manchester. And no one would dare blow the whistle.

It is just over a month since Tony Hall assumed his position as director general of the BBC and he has already faced two public skirmishes. There was an almighty row over Panorama¡¯s covert filming in North Korea, with the corporation accused of hoodwinking students about the presence of an undercover reporter on their trip.